1. Reducing the radiation dose for low-dose CT of the paranasal sinuses using iterative reconstruction: feasibility and image quality.
- Author
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Bulla S, Blanke P, Hassepass F, Krauss T, Winterer JT, Breunig C, Langer M, and Pache G
- Subjects
- Body Burden, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Radiographic Image Enhancement methods, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Algorithms, Paranasal Sinuses diagnostic imaging, Radiation Dosage, Radiation Protection methods, Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted methods, Sinusitis diagnostic imaging, Tomography, X-Ray Computed methods
- Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate image quality of dose-reduced CT of the paranasal-sinus using an iterative reconstruction technique., Methods: In this study 80 patients (mean age: 46.9±18 years) underwent CT of the paranasalsinus (Siemens Definition, Forchheim, Germany), with either standard settings (A: 120 kV, 60 mAs) reconstructed with conventional filtered back projection (FBP) or with tube current-time product lowering of 20%, 40% and 60% (B: 48 mAs, C: 36 mAs and D: 24 mAs) using iterative reconstruction (n=20 each). Subjective image quality was independently assessed by four blinded observers using a semiquantitative five-point grading scale (1=poor, 5=excellent). Effective dose was calculated from the dose-length product. Mann-Whitney-U-test was used for statistical analysis., Results: Mean effective dose was 0.28±0.03 mSv(A), 0.23±0.02 mSv(B), 0.17±0.02 mSv(C) and 0.11±0.01 mSv(D) resulting in a maximum dose reduction of 60% with iterative reconstruction technique as compared to the standard low-dose CT. Best image quality was observed at 48 mAs (mean 4.8; p<0.05), whereas standard low-dose CT (A) and maximum dose reduced scans (D) showed no significant difference in subjective image quality (mean 4.37 (A) and 4.31 (B); p=0.72). Interobserver agreement was excellent (κ values 0.79-0.93)., Conclusion: As compared to filtered back projection, the iterative reconstruction technique allows for significant dose reduction of up to 60% for paranasal-sinus CT without impairing the diagnostic image quality., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2012
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